Leopard scare: No close sightings yet

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The leopard scare has shaken the city, and everyone has hit the panic button, most people hailing from forest-infested peripheries rush to their homes to make it before 9 pm. Many false alarms rang across the city, but the officials confirm that there is just one big cat in that range.

According to the Bengaluru Urban Deputy Conservator of Forests, SS Ravishankar reportedly said, “No close sightings were seen on Tuesday. The residents of the following area need to calm down. We are keeping tabs on its movement. No fresh pug marks have been reported or found today.”

The forest is in proximity to Kanakpura Road and is spread out over about 600 acres. Due to increased population growth in southern parts of Bengaluru, most of the forest land has become mere highlands. Some leopards were spotted at Bannerghatta National Park which is just 6 kilometres away from Turlahalli forests.

Human interference with forest lands has caused this situation to take place, say some residents. “My friends and I have a small club of ladies, we walk together every morning and evening. Due to the leopard scare, I barely leave the house and even pick up and drop off my children from the metro station due to this. We are also worried about our dogs as we were informed that leopards like to hunt stray dogs,” said Reena, a resident of Adarsha Layout.

DCF also adds that leopards come into the city as people do not dump their waste properly, the nonvegetarian smell drives them closer, and the encroachment is the other major issue. The forest department states that Karnataka houses more than 1,700 leopards and 30-35 are estimated to be in Bangalore while 40 are known to be Bannerghatta National Park. The forest department is keen to trap the animal, ensuring the safety and dignity of the animal before they are relocated